Tom Boyd’s tips for Year 11s & 12s

 “Year 12 was such a wonderful year both from a learning point of view, but also a really transitional period in our lives,” Tom says.

“My advice is don’t just hope to get through it – try and enjoy it. Soak in the people the experiences and the vast array of things that each situation that you're facing has to offer.”

Year 11 and 12 can be hard work sometimes, but there’s nothing more rewarding than knowing you’ve given it your best shot – whatever that looks like for you at this moment in your life.

“When you realise the gains of all the hard work you put it, it’s a really satisfying moment,” Tom says.

VCE is a great time to learn skills that you’ll take with you into the future. 

“I remember vividly the challenge of trying to juggle sport, social life and school, and it was something that I found enormously rewarding,” Tom says. 

“If you can really hone in on your time management, your ability to interact with people and lean on people for advice, then ultimately you're going to have such an enjoyable experience through year 12.”

Choosing a uni or TAFE course can feel like a huge decision, but keep in mind that you always have the option to change paths.

“Once you get to university there is a fair bit of flexibility,” Tom says. “So dive into something that you think you’ll enjoy, something that you think will be useful and something you think you’re good at.

“If you’re not sure, it’s always good to go broad and then narrow your focus when you pick your majors, or even potentially go on to more education when you finish your course.

“And in the broader world, your university degree is only part of who you are – it’s not the be all and end all of your entire life.”

If you don’t get into your dream course straight away, remember there are lots of ways to get where you want to go. With courses across TAFE and uni, VU has plenty of great pathways to explore.

“Take advantage of the different pathways to get into courses and try to get where you want to go whichever way you can,” Tom says.

It’s natural to feel nervous about finishing school, but you’ve got this!

“The first impression you'll get in university is that it’s really different to school – and that's an important step in the right direction,” Tom says.

“When I began to engage in study and became part of the VU culture, I found that I had another group of friends and another support network around me.

“I also had another source of achievement in my life, which allowed me to find some balance and feel like I was enhancing Tom the person, rather than just Tom the footballer.”

During your VCE studies and beyond, it’s important to take care of your mental health and learn about the things that help you.

“For young people in particular going through transitional periods of their life, I think investing in mental health is the number one priority,” Tom says.

“It’s important to understand how your mental health affects your ability to perform not just in the classroom or on the sporting field, but in your life.”

Find out more about VU Early Entry.